- By becoming compassionately aware of the other's pain without getting lost in it, its harmful effects are reduced. Moreover, the feelings of care and connection generated by compassion are positive and fulfilling rather than draining. Thus, though empathy for others' distress can be fatiguing, compassion is not, and can actually serve as a buffer against empathy fatigue 

Pitzer College

- Healthcare workers are at increased risk for experiencing empathy fatigue/empathic distress which refers to the emotional drain that results from empathizing with patients who are in severe psychological or physical pain

Self-Compassion for Healthcare Workers

- Empathy fatigue or empathic distress refers to the cognitive and physical consequences of consistently working with patients who are experiencing intense psychological and or physical trauma  
- Common in populations such as healthcare workers, therapists, counselors, first responders, hospice workers etc.

Empathy Fatigue or Empathic Distress

Neff, K. D., Knox, M. C., Long, P., & Gregory, K. (2020). Caring for others without losing yourself: An adaptation of the Mindful Self‐Compassion Program for Healthcare Communities. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(9), 1543–1562. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23007 

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